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After coming home I immediately went to bed. Aunt Wendy and I didn't chat a whole lot during the car ride home. It was pleasantly quiet. I cried myself to sleep thinking about the dreadful night.

I woke up the next morning when my alarm went off at eight. I had two classes today. One at twelve and the other one at two. Waking up four hours beforehand would barely get me to class on time through the New York traffic.

Showering quickly, I put on gray sweatpants and a white hoodie with my hair up in a messy bun. I felt like shit, so why not dress like it. I wanted to stay in and cry about my bad luck, but doing so would only make me more miserable.

"I'm ready," I shouted when a knock cracked at the door.

"Hey, I just wanted to talk to you. Can I have a few minutes?" She asked nervously, entering my room.

"Yea, of course," I said, sitting on my messy bed and urging her to do the same.

"I wanted to talk to you about last night. How did it go for you?" She slid onto my bed, next to me. Her warm brown locks played with her shoulders as a meek smile lingered on her lips accentuating her high cheekbones.

That question brought all the sickening memories back into my mind. I couldn't tell her even if I wanted to. Worrying her wasn't going to help me. "Why are you asking?"

"I'm asking because I was looking for you and couldn't find you. I left you a few messages and you didn't reply either, so I was a bit worried," her brows furrowed together.

"Oh," I cleared my throat and continued. "It was fine. I was just using the restroom and wandered off into the halls checking out the massive hotel. My phone died which is why I didn't receive your messages."

"Did you enjoy yourself?" She asked curiously.

"Yes," I lied right through my teeth. This was the first time I ever lied to her and I didn't like it one bit. Cheater is what I felt like. "It was good. What about you? You looked rather happy."

"Well, it was a good night for me," she said with a smile forming on her face. "Mike was a gentleman. He's funny, intelligent, drop dead gorgeous in case you didn't notice," she fanned her face playfully and chuckled. "And he took really good care of me. He even went to go look for you when he saw how worried I was. He came back several minutes later and told me that you were with Leo. So, I was just wondering how your night was. Was Leo good to you?"

That question forced me to ponder on that thought. Was Leo good to me? Was he? Yes, he was. He didn't hurt me. He pulled me into his warm chest and let me soak him with my tears. He was there when I needed someone the most. He listened patiently and promised to protect me. So yes, he was good.

Should I trust him though? I don't really know him. His brother almost raped me. It all happened at his hotel too. I couldn't really trust him. But he was good to me and that was the question. Hopefully, I never see him again. Him or his disgusting brother.

"Yes, he was," I replied looking at the ground, refraining myself from shedding some tears.

          "Did something happen that you're not telling me?" She inquired. Did she know? How did she find out?

          "What d-do you mean?" I stammered.

          "I mean you were alone with Leo and you know, he's a handsome guy. You know what I mean."

          "Oh God! Nothing happened. We just talked. That's it. Nothing more. I hope I don't see him again," I spat hastily.

          "C'mon Arie. You can't blame me for thinking that. Your makeup was all smeared up and I didn't want to ask you about it front of the driver," she said calmly. "And why don't you want to see him again? Did something bad happen, mermaid?"

          "Nothing bad happened," I lied again. "I'm just not into him like that." I was desperately trying so hard to convince myself that I wasn't attracted to him. I didn't want to be. His brother did this horrible thing to me, so it's likely they're the same. I couldn't feel for him. No way.

          "Okay then. I'll take your word for it," she said before getting up and starting to leave.

          "Wait," I halted her footsteps. "I have a question."

          "Yeah sure. Go ahead."

          I didn't know how to say it, but I had it on my mind all night. I had to tell her that. "Would it be okay if I moved in with Grandma in Connecticut?" I asked cautiously,

          "What?" The look on her face by this sudden question gave it all away. "What grandma do you want to go to?"

          "The only one I guess I have left," I retorted with a sad smile.

          "Oh. The one that you haven't seen since you were five? The one who never called after your parents died?" Her nostrils flared with anger. "The one who never came to see you guys? The one that we don't even know if she's living or dead? Is that the one you're talking about?" She hissed, anger rolling off her pores.

          A tear toppled down my face in emotional distress. She was absolutely right. I had never thought about my father's mother. She despised my mother, so she never contacted us even after they died. I never knew her and didn't want to know her. She was as dead to me as I was to her.

          But last night the only person I thought about getting away to was her. I didn't have any other family. Ashton and Aunt Wendy were my only one. I wanted to get away from whatever was happening. This feeling was eating me up alive and killing me inside slowly. I knew it would soon take me away.

          Aunt Wendy's eyes went soft again as she cupped my face in her hands. "What's wrong, mermaid? Is it because of the rape?"

          I nodded my head yes as more tears continued to flow.

          "Awe baby, I'm right here. As much as I want you to get away from here, you can't. So, I'll be here by your side through all of it. I pinky promise," she said while raising her pinky which made me laugh. She knew how to get my mind off things before she pulled me into a hug and kept it there for a good minute. "Now, get your lazy ass up and get to school. You don't want to be late."

          "Ok mother," I mocked, picking up my bag and making my way downstairs. Starting up my car, I drove off to school.

          Sitting in the boring ass lecture, I tried so hard not to doze off. I needed some coffee at this point. I couldn't keep my mind off the horrible events as they kept running and running viciously through my mind. Only if I hadn't gone to that club, none of this would have happened.

          My phone vibrated in my sweatshirt, pulling me out of my loathing thoughts. I took it out and looked at the screen.

Queen Soph: Hey bitch
Me: hey what's up
Queen Soph: just wanted to check up on you... how you doing
Me: yea I'm doing fine... Wbu?
Queen Soph: don't get mad but me and Rob slept together again
Me: ohkk
Queen Soph: I promise it won't happen again. I actually got him off last night... for the first time in forever
Me: woah, look I don't wanna know about your sex life at all... it's disgusting honestly... ttyl I'm in class
Queen Soph: alright I'll cya soon... maybe tomorrow

          "Well I'll see you guys on Wednesday and don't forget to get that paper done," said Professor Wilson before dismissing us. I took my time throwing the books into my bag because all the other students were crowding by the door trying to get out of this hellhole.

          When I finally got out and walked into the empty hallway, I felt my arm get pulled on. With fear bubbling within me, I began screaming. Oh God, I can't do this again. I began to punch and kick the person behind me who was holding on to me so tight as tears as tears decided to break free.

          "Calm down, Arie. It's just me. Ashton," he made himself known. A breath of relief escaped my mouth immediately. More tears flowed, but they were tears of relief. He turned me around and looked into my eyes. "What's wrong?" He cupped my face with worry clinging onto his brows. "Why are you crying?"

          I wiped away my tears and calmed myself down. "Nothing."

          "You know you can't lie to me. Tell me what's wrong. Now!" He demanded.

          I didn't want to tell him. Not right now at least. I had to lie to him too. "I had a nightmare last night where I was being chased by some really bad people. So when you pulled me that memory came into my mind and scared me. That's all."

          He squinted his eyes at me, not really buying my bullshit. "You sure? I don't really buy it."

          "Trust me. I'm fine. You don't have to worry," I reassured him and myself. But I deep down knew I was no where close to being fine. Fine was the biggest lie a woman could tell.

          "If you say so." He turned me around and put a hand around my shoulder. We began to walk towards my next class which we had together.

          "You really scared me back there," he finally spoke up a few minutes later as we neared the class.

          "Didn't know a guy like you got scared too. Thought it was just something us 'little girls' did. Isn't that what you always say?" I mocked the idiot.

          "Hilarious. You're hilarious," he said with a straight face. "So, how was your weekend?"

          "It was alright," I cleared my throat trying to swallow the huge lump that was stuck. That night started so much shit and I didn't want to think about it. "How was yours?"

          "Well there was a party held at the frat house for me and it was awesome," he voice bellowed in elation.

          "Okay, I get it. Jesus! Spare my ears. You scream like a banshee," I said while covering my ears.

          "Shush! There's more," he continued. "I passed out in the backyard by the pool of the house. I don't remember much of that night but I know it was a good night. And drumroll," he imitated his hands like a drummer.

          I waited for the good news of him getting into the NFL. I always knew he would considering he worked so hard for it and that was the thing he was most passionate about. "Go on," I encouraged, getting excited for him.

          "I met a girl yesterday," he smiled while mine faded away. The excitement literally fell from my features. Not what I expected, but whatever rocked his boat.

          "Good! The shirts that I gave you as a present helped you then," I smiled sheepishly.

          "I guess. Thanks sissy. Oh and the girl has a sexy British accent. I just think about how she'd talk when we'll..."

          I covered his mouth quickly before he could go any further and spit something provocative out. I knew exactly what he was going to say and I didn't want to hear it. "Please stop right there. I don't want to hear what you have to say any further. Please. Don't torture me," I pleaded and entered the huge classroom, making my way to the seat in the back corner while Ashton went and sat with his jock friends in the front, eyeing the young professor up and down.

Soon enough the class was dismissed. Ashton hitched a ride back home with me, annoying me to death. "Don't do that, don't do this, watch it, look ahead," was all he kept yammering the entire time. He had a car, but didn't use it much so hitching a ride with me from school was what he did every other Monday.

Upon reaching home, we both sprinted to our respected rooms and stayed there in our own little world. His world was a loud, game-filled one. Mine was a sad, sappy, dark one lately. Laying on my bed listening to Lana Del Ray was how I was spending my time until Aunt Wendy came home from work, barging into my room in her usual professional lawyer attire and locking it behind her. The sudden intrusion made me sit up straight.

"What is it?" I asked her.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Sudden fear jolted up my body as I could feel the tears flooding my eyes. How did she figure out? "I'm sorry. I meant to tell you, but I didn't want to worry you," I said while my jittery fingers nervously toyed with one another.

"Worry me? Of course I'd be worried. What did you expect?" She said as low as possible so that Ashton couldn't hear. We made a deal that he wouldn't know until I wanted to tell him myself. "Why didn't you tell me that you were having nightmares and had a panic attack today?" I couldn't help the sigh of relief that left my mouth at realizing that she wasn't talking about last night. "Ashton texted me and told me. I expect you to tell me first if anything is wrong. How long have you been having nightmares?"

"Well, I've been having nightmares, but they're minor ones and I didn't freak out because of someone chasing me in a dream. I freaked because of the rape. The traumatic experience of it has been killing me slowly." A lone tear toppled over my lid. "I hate when people touch me now. And when Ashton pulled me, all the horrible memories came flooding back in. I couldn't help it. I felt like someone was trying to hurt me again."

Aunt Wendy came closer and sat on my bed in front of me. "You're going through so much all alone. Why didn't you tell me, Arie? Am I not important enough to know what's going on in my mermaid's life?" She said while putting a finger under my chin and lifting up my head. Tears flowed through her eyes just like mine. Seeing her cry saddened me even more.

"I'm sorry," I croaked out, choking on my tears.

"Maybe you should see a therapist to get through this mess," she said warily.

I shot my eyes up at her. "But I don't want to tell a random person about my problems," I cried.

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Another chapter for you lovely people. I know it was a bit boring but yeah, sorry about that.

Much love ❤️
~Reet